Elevator casing



Jan. 2, 1962 w, K N 3,015,382

ELEVATOR CASING Filed June 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FlG.2.

l7 '6 3o l8 3 l6 INVENTOR.

WILHELM KAUFMANN W. KAUFMANN ELEVATOR CASING Jan. 2, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 20, 1960 FIG.4.

United States Patent @fiice 3,015,382 ?atented Jan. 2, 1962 3,015,382 ELEVATOR CASlNG Wilhelm Kaufmann, Mulzwonago, Wis, assiguor to Chain Belt Company, Milwaukee, Wis a corporation of Wiscousin Filed June 21), 196i Ser. No. 37,167 9 Claims. ((11. 1982l6) This invention relates to vertical structures and particularly to the construction of the casing sections for a bucket elevator. The several sections of the casing are joined to form a hollow, vertical column to enclose and support the operating parts of the elevator.

According to the invention, each section comprises spaced, rectangular frames forming the ends or top and bottom of each section and an expansible sheet-metal assembly or tube which fits over the opposite flanges of the respective end frames under a slight tension. The tension is provided by U-shaped projecting corners of the sheet-metal assembly which comprise columns providing the vertical support of the elevator.

The section is assembled by first mounting the frames in a fixture which holds them in parallel and aligned relation with the sheet metal in position therebetween. The frame members and the corner columns of the sheet metal assembly are then welded so that the bearing load on the upper frame is applied directly to the U-shaped columns of the sheet-metal assembly and so that the columns bear directly on the spaced flanges of the upper and lower frames.

The U-shaped corner columns of the sheet metal assembly provide an improved vertical support of greater load-carrying capacity and rigidity for its weight. The columns are more rigid and resist buckling and take the place of separate heavier structural members which require welding their entire length to the sheet-metal closing the section.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved, lighter weight elevator casing with greater stability and load-carrying capacity.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lighter, stronger casing section having corners which are less subject to buckling or column failure.

Another object of the invention is to facilitate the construction of the elevator casing so that the upper and lower ends are in alignment and parallel so that the several sections form a perfectly vertical structure.

Other obiects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description of the same as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a bucket elevator, the working parts Within the casing of the elevator being represented by dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a single section of the casing;

16. 3 is a perspective view of the lower of the two end frames of the casing section shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the fixture for holding the two end frames of the section and shows in side elevation the sheet-metal assembly to complete the section;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged horizontal section of one corner of the casing section and with the corner of the frame appearing in elevation;

PEG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of one corner of the elevator casing as bolted to the correspondin corner of the lower adjacent section; and

FIG. 7 is an outline showing diagrammatically the expansion of the sheet-metal assembly which is' allowed in fitting on the frame members.

The casing of the bucket elevator 1 shown in the drawings includes the lower boot section 2 mounted on the base or foundation 3. The lowermost section 4 is assembled directly upon boot section 2 and includes the access door 5. Casing sections 6 and the section 4 are otherwise identical and support the head section 7 which carries drive means, not shown, and the head shaft 8 and pulley 9 shown in dotted lines. The chain 10 shown in dotted lines operates over the lower take-up pulley 11 in boot section 2 and carries the series of buckets 12. The entire elevator assembly may be up to feet high and is generally braced by securement to an adjacent building or structure or by means of guy wires, not shown.

In the operation of the elevator, the material enters the boot section 2 through the inlet 13 and is carried by the buckets 12 which discharge the material in passing over head pulley 9 in the direction of and through the outlet 14 of the head section 7.

Each casing section 6 includes identical upper and lower rectangular frames of angle-iron construction with the opposite flanges 17 of each frame projecting toward each other and the flanges l8 projecting outwardly of the respecting frame. Each casing section also includes the sheet-metal members 19 forming a tube of rectangular cross-section and having ends fitting over flanges 17 of frames 16. Sheet-metal members 19 are joined by the out-turned and welded marginal flanges 2! which are preferably located at the center of two opposite sides of the casing section.

According to the invention, the members 1) are bent at the corners of the casing section to provide the U- shaped channels 21 which are joined with the flat sides of the section by oppositely curved portions 22 to form vertical columns at the corners of the casing. Each channel 21 is formed on a radius having a center at the imaginary intersection of the two adjacent sides of the section and the oppositely curved portions 22 have generally the same radius from centers outside of the casing section.

In the assembly of the casing section, frames 16 are fixed to the spaced arms 24 and 25 or" the fixture 26 shown in FIG. 4 so that the opposite faces of the frames are parallel and in alignment. Arm 25 is then moved toward arm 24 with the tube comprised of members 1'9 in position to receive the flanges 17 of frames 16. Members 19 should be dimensioned so that a small expansion of the tube formed thereby is required to fit over flanges Vfhen the tube referred to has engaged both frames, the plugs or posts 27 are inserted at the ends of channels 21. Posts 27 are pieces of U-shaped metal to fit inside channels 21 and have squared ends. Each post is disposed so that it rests squarely against the flange 18 of the respective frame and as the arms 24 and 25 are moved together, the posts slide within the channels and the tube slides on flanges 17. When frames 16 are a predetermined distance apart and the ends of the members 19 comprising the tube are near but not on, the curved corner portions of the angle-irons, the assembly is in position for welding members 19 to frames 16. The welding should also secure posts 27 to the members and to frames 16 and should extend all the way around each frame, to provide a dust-tight connection. Arms 24 and 25 preferably include means, not shown, whereby the as sembly may be turned about a horizontal axis for downhand welding.

When the welding is completed the casing section is ready for painting and assembly. Each section rests on the upper frame of the next lower section and is secured thereto by the bolts 29 extending through the corresponding holes Sil of the adjacent frame; The weight of head section 7 is supported by the channels 21 ineach corner channel 21 to buclding or collapse provides an increased load-carrying capacity for each section which allows elimination of all other structural bracing 'or the like in the vertical direction.

7 Channels 21 also allow the expansion of the tube com prised of members i? so that a tight fit around flanges 17 is provided but without unduly stressing the members.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are-con- 'ternplated as within the scope of the following claims particularily pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. in an elevator casing, a casing section assembled in end-to-end'relation with similar sections'to form an elevator housing including a lower boot section supporting the sections in a vertical column and ahead section carrying the drive and elevating mechanism, the adjacent ends of said sections comprising rectangular frames having outward flanges bolted together and the oppositely extending flanges defining arectangle, each casing section including a sheet metal tube of rectangular crosssection and having open ends assembled over the flanges of said frames and having U-shaped corner projections, said U-shaped corner projections allowing the expansion of said ends to receive the flanges of said frames and comprising vertical columns in bearing relation to said frames to provide the support of the upper sections and said head section.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the columns of the casing include separately fabricated end posts in direct bearing relation to the outward flanges.

3. A casing section for assembly in end-to-e'nd relation with similar sections to form an elevator housing including a lower boot section supporting the sections in a vertical column and ahead section carrying the drive'and elevating mechanism, said section comprising spaced parallel rectangular frames each adapted to be bolted to the corresponding frame of the adjacent section, each frame also having flanges projecting toward the other frame and defining a rectangle, and a sheet-metal rectangular assembly having open ends over said flanges of said frames'and having U-shaped corner projections and open ends fitting over said projecting flanges, said U-shaped corner projections allowing the expansion of said ends to receive the flanges of said frames and providing the vertical structural supporting members of the casing.

4. A casing section for assembly in end-to-end relation with similar sections to form an elevator housing including a lower boot section supporting thesections in a vertical column and a head section carrying the drive and elevating mechanism, said section including two spaced, parallel rectangular frames, each frame comprising flanges projecting laterally outwardly and other flanges projecting towardand aligned with the corresponding flanges of the other frame of the section,

said laterally projecting flanges being adapted to be bolted or secured to'the corresponding flanges of-the frame of the adjacent section, and a sheet-metal rectangular assembly having open ends fitted over said other flanges of'said frames and having four U-shaped corner projections extending from end to end, :said U-shaped corner projections allowing'the expansion of said ends all) in a vertical column and a head section carrying the drive and elevating mechanism, said section including two spaced, parallel rectangular frames, each frame comprising flanges projecting laterally outwardly and other flanges projecting toward and aligned with the corresponding flanges of the other frame of the section, said laterally projecting flanges being a apted to be bolted or secured in bearing relation to the corresponding flanges of the frame of the adjacent section, a sheet-metal rectangular assembly having open ends and U-shaped corner chan nels extending from end to end of the assembly, said U- shaped corner channels allowing the expansion of said ends to fit tightly over said other flanges of said frames, the respective ends being spaced from said laterally projecting flanges and welded to said other flanges, and posts slidably fitting within said channels at the corners of said frames and having exposed ends disposed in direct bearing relation with the laterally projecting flanges and the other ends within the channels welded to said assembly, said channels and posts thereby comprising the vertical structural supporting members of the casing.

6. In an elevator casing, a casing section assembled in end-to-end relation with similar sections to form an elevator housing including a lower boot section supporting the sections in a vertical column and a head section carrying the drive and elevating mechanism, the adja-, cent-ends or" said sections comprising rectangular frames having outward flanges bolted together and oppositely extending flanges defining a rectangle, each casing section including a sheet metal assembly of rectangular crossl bers of the casing.

in a verticalstructure, a sheet-metal fabricataed rectangular hollow member comprising generally parallel opposite panels and spaced columns joiningthc adjacent panels, each column'ha'ving a curved portion of approximately 180 of curvature forming the corners of the member and oppositely curved intermediate portions join- 'ing the adjacent panels, and" a rectangular frame at each end of said hollow member having flanges projecting inwardly of said hollow member and welded to the ends thereof with the ends of the panels held against said flanges by the said columns,

50. tangular frames respectively having flanges extending 8. In a vertical structure, spaced upper and'lower recdownwardly and upwardly, and a sheet-metal fabricated rectangular hollow member comprising generally parallel opposite panels and having-upper and lower open ends expanded slightly and assembled over the said flanges of the respective frames and welded thereto, the corners of said member being of U-sections extending outwardly of the member and forming parallel, vertical columns and providing the flexture allowing t-he upper and 'lower'ends of the member to be expanded in the assembly referred 9; The inventionof clairn' 8'wherein the structure furthere includes separately fabricated end posts fixed within said'columns and projecting from the ends thereof to engage the'frames directly.

References Cited in'the file of this-patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,394,638 'Schrader' Feb. 12; 1946 2,718,296 I Johnson ;Sept 20; 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 

